GEOL246-20S2 (C) Semester Two 2020

Earth Surface Dynamics

15 points

Details:
Start Date: Monday, 13 July 2020
End Date: Sunday, 8 November 2020
Withdrawal Dates
Last Day to withdraw from this course:
  • Without financial penalty (full fee refund): Friday, 24 July 2020
  • Without academic penalty (including no fee refund): Friday, 25 September 2020

Description

Earth surface behaviour is a primary interface between geology and society. Knowledge and cultural perspectives of that behaviour therefore inform societal behaviour and development. This course will provide students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to be able to investigate and report on the sustainability of proposed site-specific land-uses in the context of future dynamic Earth surface system behaviours.

Changes to the surface of the Earth impact society’s existence on that surface. Thus, Earth surface behaviour is a primary interface between geology and society, and knowledge of that behaviour informs societal behaviour and development. This course will provide students with the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed to be able to investigate and report on the sustainability of proposed site-specific land-uses in the context of dynamic Earth surface system behaviours. Specific topics studied will include landscape evolution and Mātauranga Māori; the use of remote sensing data and simulation models to analyse and understand surface topography and changes; how dynamic equilibrium manifests in landscapes; field and laboratory experiences; Earth surface processes; response of rivers to changing environmental conditions; and synthesis of knowledge and skills in technical report production. Student learning will be largely self-motivated and experiential, with extensive use of exercises, case and field studies, and technical, oral and written reporting.

Learning Outcomes

Successful students in this course will acquire the ability to investigate and understand the ways in which a range of Earth surface systems, materials and processes interact to alter the land surface, and the consequences of such alterations for societal assets.


Learning Outcomes

Students who have completed this course satisfactorily will be able to:
1. Use a range of modern technologies to identify, describe, and quantify the properties and behaviours of Earth surface systems and subsystems. (NZQF level 6; “demonstrate knowledge and skills related to the ideas, principles, concepts, chief research methods and problem-solving techniques of a recognised major subject”)
2. Infer future properties and behaviours of earth surface systems. (NZQF level 6; “demonstrate intellectual independence, critical thinking and analytic rigour”)
3.  Evaluate proposed uses of field sites in the context of Earth surface system processes and behaviour. (NZQF level 6; “demonstrate the skills needed to acquire, understand and assess information from a range of sources”)
4.   Communicate the results of evaluations and analyses through written reports to a scientific audience. (NZQF level 6; “demonstrate communication and collaborative skills”)
Summary of the Course Content

GEOL246 will provide a range of opportunities for students to develop specific attitudes, skills and knowledge through a variety of learning and educational experiences, including:
1. Hands-on learning in understanding how land surface processes work; e.g. mechanics of landslides, soil erosion, river erosion and deposition ,
2. Learning to understand how land surface features have developed, e.g. river terraces, hillslopes, alluvial fans
3. Analysing, interpreting and mapping landforms both in the field and from remote sensing as the basis for land-use planning (e.g. for sustainable development and disaster risk reduction)
4. Project work and presentations, both individually and in groups, involving information acquisition, analysis, synthesis and reporting.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:

Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award

Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.

Employable, innovative and enterprising

Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.

Biculturally competent and confident

Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.

Globally aware

Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.

Prerequisites

30 points from GEOL, MATH, EMTH, BIOL, CHEM, PHYS at 100 level, GEOG106, ENVR101. RP: GEOL111; GEOL113; GEOG109; 100-level maths

Recommended Preparation

GEOL111; GEOL113; GEOG109; 100-level maths

Timetable Note

Lectures:
One 1-hour lecture every week

Laboratories:
One 3-hour lab per week
Tutorials:

One 1-hour tutorial per week

Field trip:
One 1-day field trip

Course Coordinator

Tim Stahl

Assessment

Assessment Due Date Percentage  Description
Mastery Exercises 30% Mastery Exercises
Tutorial Attendance 10% Tutorial Attendance
Geomorphology Map 20% Geomorphology Map
Final Report and Presentation 40% Final Report and Presentation


Mastery Exercises  -  30%
Tutorial Attendance  -  10%
Geomorphology Map  -  20%  -  21 August
Final Report and Presentation  -  40%  -  16 October

Textbooks / Resources

There are no required textbooks for this course.  However, you will be required to read assigned material posted on-line and/or placed on-reserve in the central library as indicated by your course instructors.

Notes

Prerequisites:

30 points from GEOL, MATH, EMTH, BIOL, CHEM, PHYS at 100 level, GEOG106, ENVR101.

Indicative Fees

Domestic fee $935.00

International fee $4,285.00

* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.

For further information see School of Earth and Environment .

All GEOL246 Occurrences

  • GEOL246-20S2 (C) Semester Two 2020